Modifications in lower leg muscle activation when walking barefoot or in minimalist shoes across different age-groups (original) (raw)
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Walking barefoot vs. with minimalist footwear – influence on gait in younger and older adults
BMC Geriatrics, 2020
Background In recent years, minimalist footwear has been increasingly promoted for its use in sportive and recreational activities. These shoes are considered to function naturally like barefoot walking while providing a protective surface. Despite a growing popularity of these shoes in the older population, little is known about the influence of minimalist footwear on gait patterns. This study investigated whether overground walking with minimalist shoes is comparable to barefoot walking regarding gait stability and variability parameters. Methods In a randomized within-subject study design, 31 healthy younger (29 ± 4 years) and 33 healthy community-dwelling older adults (71 ± 4 years) volunteered. Participants walked on flat ground, once barefoot and once with minimalist shoes. Gait variability of minimum toe clearance (MTC), stride length, stride time, and local dynamic gait stability were analysed. Results The results for both age groups showed significant condition effects (min...
Barefoot and High-Heeled Gait: Changes in Muscles Activation Patterns
Health, 2014
Most women like wearing high-heeled shoes for the benefit of sensuous attractiveness and selfesteem while musculoskeletal problems and gait patterns changes are often associated. The present study aimed to identify changes during the gait stance and swing phases in some lower limb muscles. In addition, abdominal muscle was included due to its importance in dynamic trunk stability, and lack of studies on the subject. Here, we found that the use of high-heeled shoes elicited not only the increasing of the electrical activity from the muscles involved in the gait cycle, but also altered the temporal sequence of their recruitment. As practical applications, these changes may be strategies to maintain stability and minimize risks of falling, but they are often associated to diseases. Women that use high-heeled shoes for prolonged time must apply specific muscle exercises to minimize its long-term effects.
Muscular activity in different locomotion plans with the use of various shoes types and barefoot
The objective of this study was to evaluate the electromyographyc activity of the muscles of the leg and spine associated with different types of shoes and barefoot, in the various plans of locomotion, in the situations before and after fatigue. Methods: Is a cross-sectional study, which was used a sample of convenience with 15 young women, aged between 18 and 35 years, sedentary. The examined muscles were tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis and erector spinae. The muscular activity was assessed during locomotion on flat surface, up and down stairs and in an inclined surface. The shoes were a high-heeled, small heeled, tennis, slipper and barefoot. Results: The results of electromyographyc analysis showed that the muscles of the leg had greater electromyographyc activity in the position of pre-fatigue of the lower limbs and erector spinae in the post-fatigue of the lower limbs, in most of the conditions and situations. Discussion: Adaptive conditions associated with regular use of high shoes, has been widely questioned in relation to the incidence of injuries. Conclusion: In post-fatigue of the lower limbs, there was a decline in the activities of the muscles of the leg and increased recruitment of the erector muscles justified by the need for greater stability of the spine and pelvis during the locomotion of young women.
Effects of training in minimalist shoes on the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume
Clinical Biomechanics, 2016
Background: Minimalist shoes have gained popularity recently because it is speculated to strengthen the foot muscles and foot arches, which may help to resist injuries. However, previous studies provided limited evidence supporting the link between changes in muscle size and footwear transition. Therefore, this study sought to examine the effects of minimalist shoes on the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume in habitual shod runners. The relationship between participants' compliance with the minimalist shoes and changes in muscle õvolume was also evaluated. Methods: Twenty habitual shod runners underwent a 6-month self-monitoring training program designed for minimalist shoe transition. Another 18 characteristics-matched shod runners were also introduced with the same program but they maintained running practice with standard shoes. Runners were monitored using an online surveillance platform during the program. We measured overall intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume before and after the program using MRI scans. Findings: Runners in the experimental group exhibited significantly larger leg (P = 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.62) and foot (P b 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.54) muscle after transition. Foot muscle growth was mainly contributed by the forefoot (P b 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.64) but not the rearfoot muscle (P = 0.10, Cohen's d = 0.30). Leg and foot muscle volume of runners in the control group remained similar after the program (P = 0.33-0.95). A significant positive correlation was found between participants' compliance with the minimalist shoes and changes in leg muscle volume (r = 0.51; P = 0.02). Interpretation: Habitual shod runners who transitioned to minimalist shoes demonstrated significant increase in leg and foot muscle volume. Additionally, the increase in leg muscle volume was significantly correlated associated with the compliance of minimalist shoe use.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a standard flexible shoe and a stability running shoe on lower limb muscle activity during walking. Twenty-eight young asymptomatic adults with flat-arched feet were recruited. While walking, electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from tibialis posterior and peroneus longus via intramuscular electrodes; and from tibialis anterior and medial gas-trocnemius via surface electrodes. Three experimental conditions were assessed: (i) barefoot, (ii) a standard flexible shoe, (iii) a stability running shoe. Results showed significant differences for the peak amplitude and the time of peak amplitude for tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial gastrocne-mius when comparing the three experimental conditions (p < 0.05). Significant differences were detected primarily between the barefoot and shoe conditions and with relatively small effect sizes for peroneus longus, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius. Few significant differences were found between the two shoe styles. We discuss how these changes are most likely associated with the shoe upper bracing the foot, the shape of the shoe outer-sole and weight of the shoes. Further research is needed to investigate differences between these shoe styles when participants walk for longer distances (i.e. over 1000 m) and following fatigue.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013
Aim The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in running mechanics that occur when highly trained runners run barefoot and in a minimalist shoe, and specifically if running in a minimalist shoe replicates barefoot running. Methods Ground reaction force data and kinematics were collected from 22 highly trained runners during overground running while barefoot and in three shod conditions (minimalist shoe, racing flat and the athlete's regular shoe). Three-dimensional net joint moments and subsequent net powers and work were computed using Newton-Euler inverse dynamics. Joint kinematic and kinetic variables were statistically compared between barefoot and shod conditions using a multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures and standardised mean differences calculated. Results There were significant differences between barefoot and shod conditions for kinematic and kinetic variables at the knee and ankle, with no differences between shod conditions. Barefoot running demonstrated less knee flexion during midstance, an 11% decrease in the peak internal knee extension and abduction moments and a 24% decrease in negative work done at the knee compared with shod conditions. The ankle demonstrated less dorsiflexion at initial contact, a 14% increase in peak power generation and a 19% increase in the positive work done during barefoot running compared with shod conditions. Conclusions Barefoot running was different to all shod conditions. Barefoot running changes the amount of work done at the knee and ankle joints and this may have therapeutic and performance implications for runners. Editor's choice Scan to access more free content Bonacci J, et al. Br J Sports Med 2013;47:387-392.
Gait & Posture, 2021
Background: Gait stability and variability measures in barefoot and shod locomotion are frequently investigated in younger but rarely in older adults. Moreover, most studies examine gait measures in laboratory settings instead of real-life settings. Research questions: How are gait stability and variability parameters affected by footwear compared to barefoot walking in younger and older adults as well as under indoor vs. outdoor conditions? Methods: Healthy younger (<35 years) and older adults (>65 years) participated in the randomised withinsubject study design. Participants conducted consecutive 25 m walking trials barefoot and with standardised footwear inside and outside. Inertial measurement units were mounted on the participant's foot and used to calculate local dynamic stability (LDS), velocity and minimal toe clearance (MTC), stride length and stride time, including variabilities for these parameters. Linear mixed models were calculated. Results: Data of 32 younger (17 female, 15 male, age: 30 ± 4 years) and 42 older participants (24 female, 18 male, age: 71 ± 4 years) were analysed. MTC variability was higher in shod conditions compared to barefoot (p = 0.048) and in outdoor conditions (p < 0.001). LDS was different between age groups (p < 0.001). Gait velocity and MTC were higher in shod and outdoor conditions (both p < 0.001). Stride length and time were higher in shod conditions (both p < 0.001) and different between outdoor vs. indoor (longer stride length and shorter stride time outdoor, both (p < 0.001) as well as age groups (shorter stride length (p < 0.021) and stride time in older adults (p < 0.001). Significance: Results suggest that gait stability and variability in older and younger adults are acutely affected by footwear vs. barefoot and indoor vs. outdoor walking conditions, indicating a high adaptiveness of these parameters to different experimental conditions. Consequently, future studies should be careful with generalising results obtained under certain conditions. Findings stress the clinical potential of barefoot walking.
The effects of various types of shoe on lower extremity during walking
The Japanese journal of ergonomics, 2008
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of various types of shoe on lower extremities during walking. In this experiment, normal walking shoe, unstable shoe (Masai Barefoot Technology, MBT), newly developed shoe of heel for cushion (BOSS Corps., Korea) were compared. Three-dimensional motion analysis techniques were used to acquire kinematic and kinetic data. Six Falcon high speed digital motion capture cameras (Motion Analysis Corp. Santa Rosa, CA USA) and two force plates (AMTI, Inc., MA, USA) were used. Variables for analysis were joint angles (range of motion, angle trajectory), joint moments for each gait event and ground reaction force (loading rate/decay rate, max vertical ground reaction force). The results showed that there were different effects of types of shoe on lower extremity. Joint angle trajectory of ankle, joint range of motion (ROM) of hip, peak force, and ankle joint moment were significantly different among shoe types. MBT provided deceased joint loading. Newly developed shoe of heel for cushion provided deceased impelling force and loading rate. To clarify this result, further study is necessary to add several variables: EMG, long-term effects and upper body motion.
Alterations in neuromuscular activation patterns associated with walking in short-leg walking boots
Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2012
Background: Short-leg walking boots are a common intervention for acute and chronic lower extremity injury. Few studies have examined the neuromuscular adaptations associated with short-leg walking boots and no previous study has investigated timing characteristics of muscle activation during gait. The purpose of the current study was to examine the timing and amplitudes of muscle activation of the extrinsic ankle musculature during walking in two types of short-leg walking boots. Methods: Eleven healthy young adults performed five level walking trials at a self-selected pace in each of three conditions: normal walking, Gait Walker and Equalizer short-leg walking boots. Ground reaction forces were collected from a force platform while surface electromyography (EMG) was collected from the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial gastrocnemius. EMG signals were rectified and smoothed using the root mean squared with a 20-ms smoothing window and were normalized to the largest mean of the normal walking trials. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of short-leg walking boots on the onset, duration and amplitude of muscle activation. Results: Short-leg walking boots were generally associated with earlier onsets of muscle activation and longer durations of muscle activation. However, there was no reduction in EMG amplitude. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the induced alterations in muscle activation patterns may limit the short-leg walking boots.